Adjustable head band device



Dec. 26, 1939. D E, KIMBALL 2,184,425

ADJUSTABLE HEAD BAND DEVICE Filed May 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l fl; 19 171? 19 zo 2O P1 1 Donald. E. Kim'bal'l mvenTon SYM/SMM, MdflwxwmwATTORNEYS Dec. 26, 1939.

D. E. KIMBALL l 2,184,425

ADJUSTABLE HEAD 4BAND DEVICE Filed May 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 45 nv. A

Donald, Fr; Kimball lNVENTOR av SNMW, SMA@ @1MM/,MA w..'..

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 26, 1939 ADJUSTABLE HEAD BAND' DEVICE Donald E.Kimball, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Bausch & Lomb Optical Company,Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May c', 193s,serial No. ,206,434

11 Claims.'

This invention relates to an adjustable head band for eye protectors,and the like, and has for an object the provision of new and improvedhead bands of this character. The present application forms acontinuation in partof my copending application, Serial Number 143,307,lled May 1s, `1937.

In the drawings accompanying this specication and forming a part of thisapplication, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, embodimentswhich my invention may assume, and in the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of goggles, to which opposite ends of theadjustable head band are connected, the intermediate portion of the bandbeing broken away to better accommodate the view to the sheet, y i lFigure 2 is a side elevational View of one of the goggle cups, showing afragment of the head band connected thereto, l

Figure 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal vertical sectional view throughthe head band, the view being intermediately broken, and only .fragmentsof the attaching means being shown this View disclosing one embodimentoi the adjustable connection between the head` band and the eyeprotectors,

Figure 4 is an enlarged end elevational View, partially in section, andcorresponding substantially to the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 isa transverse sectional view corresponding substantially tothe line 5 5 of Figure 3, v

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a different embodiment of theconnecting means for the head band,`

Figure .-'7 is a fragmentary longitudinal, vertical, sectional view ofsaid embodiment, correspon-ding substantially to the line 'l-l of Figure6, and showing the parts in one position, l

Figure S is a sectional View similarto Figure 7, and showing the partsin a different position,

Figure 9 is a tranverse sectional view, corresponding substantially tothe line 9-9 oi Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a front elevational vview-of still another embodiment ofthe adjustable fastening means, and showing the parts in one position,

Figure 11 isa longitudinal vertical sectional view correspondingsubstantiallyk to [the line H-li of Figure 10,

Figure 12` is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially tothe line I2-Ii. of Figure 11, Y

Figure 13 is a View similar to Figure 12 corresponding substantially tothe line I3--I3 of Figure 11, while Figure 14 is a View similar toFigure 10, show.- ing the parts vin a different position.

As shown in Figures 1 through 5 of the draw-vb ings, this embodiment ofthe invention comprises a pair of eye cups i5 and it, each contoured, asat Il, to fit the face or the user, the cups being connected by aflexible adjustable nose piece I8, of any well known type, while theouter rear y, edgel of each of the eye cups l5 and i6 has lxedly securedthereto, by any suitable means, a bracket I9, provided with a slot 2dfor the reception of the curled end 2i oifa hinged part 22. Each hingedpart 22 is split, and bent, as at 23, to ixedlyh,

accommodate an end ball of a chain 2d, made upvl or a pluralityjcf balls25, flexibly connected by connectingbars 25, each of the chains 24 beingrelatively short, and preferably consisting of five .or six balls25,-and a suiiicient number of inter-f2.0

Connecting bars 26.

Cooperating with the chains Zd-i, and conipletingthe head band, is ahead band portion ill which comprises a coiled spring 28, the endportion 29 oi which is ixedly held in a crimped l therepast byapplication of considerable force t thereto, for purposes of adjustment.The opposite end of the coiled spring Zilis provided with` an oppositelydisposed ferrule arrangement identical to that already described andsimilar `reference characters will be employed to designate like partsof the two constructions. Each of the ierrules 3l is provided with anannular skirt portion 35, and surrounding the spring 28 andk eX- tendingwithin the skirt of the ferrule, is a fabric sheath 3%, each end ofwhich is provided with extensions 3l projecting through slots 3B 4formed in the skirt 35, these extensions being` i turned back and heldin place by a flexible ring 39 tightly fitted thereover, both ends ofthe sheath thereby being fixedly connected to the errules 3l. The sheathis of greater length than the unextended length of the coiled spring 28,and of sufficient length so that the spring may stretch a predeterminedlimited distance, dependent upon the length of the sheath, thek sheathbeing puckered somewhat along the spring 28 when the latter isunextended, In this way the spring may be stretched to accommodate thisportion of the head band to the head of the user, yet stretching of thespring is limited by the length of the sheath 36.

Adjustment of the overall length of the head band, including the portion21 and the chains 24-24, may be eiected by moving one or more balls 25inwardly or outwardly with respect to the adjacent ferrules 3l, thecatch 34 permitting this operation when considerable force is applied ineecting the adjustment, but maintaining the adjustment once it is made.

Referring to Figures 6 through 9 a somewhat different embodiment of thehead band portion 21 is disclosed, the chains 24, and the remainder ofthe construction being as heretofore described. In this embodiment thehead band portion 20 comprises a coiled spring 4l, the intermediateportion of which has the individual coils inclined in the usual way anddisposed relatively close together, as at 42, while each end portion ofthe spring isformed to provide a vertically disposed coiled section 43,substantially at right angles to the long axis of the coil, andoutwardly disposed relatively widely spaced sections 44, the sections 43and 44 extending within a cup-shaped thimble or ferrule 45, and held inposition by transversely extending pins 46, engaging in the rear of thecoiled section 43, thereby causing the coiled sections 44 to bear towardthe front wall 41 of the ferrule or thimble 45. The front wall 41 cf thethimble 45 is provided with a central circular aperture 48 of a size toadmit the balls 25 of the chain 24, and interposed beweeny the endsection 44 and the inner surface of the thimble wall 41, is a disk 49,notched as at 50, for the reception of a rib 5| formed in the thimble45, the disk 49 having a circular aperture 52 normally disposed out ofline with the aperture 48, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9, so thatonce a ball 25 has reached a position in the rear 'of the disk 49, itcannot be withdrawn, unless the disk is tilted about its notched end, asshown in Figure '7, to line up the apertures 48 and 52, this tiltingmovement taking place against the pressure exerted by the coil sections44, which normally retain the disk 49 in the position shown in Figure 8.An aperture 53 is formed in the wall 41, through which an implement,such as a nail, or the like, may be inserted to tilt the disk 49, toline up the apertures 43 and 52, and enable the balls to be adjustedwith respect to the thimble 45. The opposite end of the coiled spring 4lwill be provided with an adjusting arrangement identical to that alreadydescribed, but not shown, as will be understood. Surrounding the spring4I is a sheath 54, similar to the sheath 36. In this instance, however,each end of the sheath 54 fits over the exterior wall of the thimble 45,and held in place by a ring 55, which is secured in position by the pins46, the sheath being of greater length than the spring 4I in its normalunextended position and sufficiently long to permit predeterminedextension of the spring, but limiting this extension, as beforeexplained.

Another embodiment of the head band portion is disclosed in Figures 10through i4, this embodiment including a coiled` spring 55, the coilsections of the intermediate portion of which are normally disposedrelatively close together, and at each end the coiled spring 55 isformed with a coil section El, extending substantially at right anglesto the axis of the spring, and outwardly of the section 6| the spring isprovided with several relatively widely spaced coil sections 62. Clampedonto the section 6I, by means of ears 63, is a sheet-metal sleeve 64,which fits within a cup-shaped thimble 65 and is held in position bytransversely extending pins 66. The forward wall 61 of the thimble 65 isprovided with an off-center circular aperture 68, large enough forreception of the balls 25 of the related chain 24, and interposedbetween the inner surface of the wall 61 and the end coil section 62 ofthe spring, is a disk 69 having an off-center aperture 15, opening intocurved slot 1I, the aperture 10 in one position, as lshown in Figure 14,being adapted to register with the aperture 58 to permit free insertionand removal of the balls 25, and in another position after rotation, asshown in Figure I3, to be out of line with the aperture 68, so that thelink 26 of the chain 25 may enter into the curved slot 1l. The disk 69may be rotated by inserting an implement, as a nail, or the like, intothe curved slot 12 formed in the wall 61 of the thimble, and into anopening 15 formed in the disk 69 in line with the slot i2. Tits 'i4 maybe formed upon the inner surface of the wall 61 and the outer surface ofthe disk 69 so that the disk may be substantially locked in position toprevent retraction of the balls 25. The opposite end of the spring isprovided with a similar arrangement, as will be understood. A sheath 15,similar to the sheaths 36 and 54 already described, surrounds the spring6B, ts over the thimble 65, and is held in position by a band 15,affixed to the thimble by the pins 66, the sheath being somewhat longerthan the spring 5E) in its unextended position, and adapted to limitextension-of the spring as before described.

In all of the described constructions a head band is provided which isextremely light, which may be readily adjusted for size, which iselastic after adjustment, and in which there is a limit of elasticextension, all making for quick accurate adjustment and comfortableapplication to the head of the wearer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplishedat least the principal object of my invention, and it also will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments hereindescribed may be variously changed and modied, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and that the invention iscapable of usesand has advantages not herein specifically described; hencel it wili beap- A. 55

preciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only,and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Head band means, comprising: an elongated section, having hollowdefining means, bounding an interior space, normally unextended, butelastically stretchable; a sheath surrounding said dening means, andconnected thereto, said sheath being extensible a limited extent lessthan said deiining means, and operable to limit stretchingof saiddefining means; an elongated non-stretchable section; and means,constructed and arranged to connect said sections only at their adjacentend portions.

2. Head band means, comprising: an elongated section, having hollowdefining means, bounding an interior space, normally unextended, butelastically stretchable, said dening means being in the form of a coiledspring; a sheath enclosing said defining means, and connected thereto,said sheath being eXtensible a limited eXtent less than said denningmeans, and operable to limit stretching of said defining means; anelongated non-stretchable section; and means, constructed and arrangedto connect said sections only at their adjacent end portions.

3. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end, one of said sections having a plurality of spacedenlargements, and an adjacent section having means defining an aperturefor the selective reception of said enlargements; means for adjustablysecuring said enlargements against retraction from said aperture; anarticle to which said head band means are adapted to be connected; andmeans for connecting the free ends of said sections to said article.

4. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end; and means constructed and arranged to form anadjustable connection between said sections, one of said sections havinga plurality of spaced enlargements, and another section including a wallportion having an aperture, and a second wall portion having anaperture, said wall portions being relatively movable to align ordisalign said apertures to permit` passage of said enlargementstherepast when in alignment, and to restrain passage thereon whendisaligned.

5. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end; and means constructed and arranged to form anadjustable connection between said sections, one of said sections havinga plurality of spaced enlargements, and another section including a wallportion having an aperture, and a second wall portion having anaperture, one of said Wall portions being relatively rotatable withrespect to the other to align or disalign said apertures to permitpassage of said enlargements therepast when in alignment, and torestrain passage thereof when disaligned.

6. Head bandmeans, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end; and means constructed and arranged to form anadjustable connection between said sections, one of said sections havinga plurality of spaced enlargements, and another section including a wallportion having an aperture, and a second wall portion having anaperture, one of saidwall portions being shiftable broadside withreference to the other to align or disalign said apertures to permitpassage of said enlargements therepast when in alignment, and torestrain passage thereof when disaligned.

7. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end; means constructed and arranged to form anadjustable connection between said sections, one of said sections havinga plurality of spaced enlargements, and another section including a wallportion having an aperture, and a second wall portion having anaperture, said wall portions being relatively movable to alignl ordisalign said apertures to permit passage of said enlargements therepastwhen in alignment, and to restrain passage thereof when disaligned; andmeans for yieldably holding said wall portions against relativemovement.

8. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end, one of said sections having hollow dening boundingan interior space, normally unextended, but stretchable, and an adjacentnon-stretchable section, and connecting means constructed and arrangedto forman adjustable connection between said sections, one of saidsections having a plurality of spaced enlargements, and another sectionincluding a wall portion having rein-aperture, for the selectivereception of said enlargements, said connecting means including a devicefor securing said enlargements against retraction from said aperture.

9. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end, one of said sections having hollow dening means,bounding an interior space, normally uneXtended, but stretchable, andanL adjacent section being ncnstretchable; and means constructed andarranged to form an adjustable connection between said sections, saidsecond mentioned section having a plurality of spaced enlargements, andsaid first mentioned section including a wall portion having anaperture, and a second wallportion having an aperture, said wallportions being relatively movable to align or disalign said apertures topermit passage of said enlargements therepast when in alignment, and torestrain passage thereof When disaligned; said dening means beingconstructed and arranged to yieldablyy bear upon said wall portions toprevent relative movement therebetween.

10. Head band means, comprising: aplurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end, one of said sections having hollow defining means,bounding an interior space, normally uneXtended, but stretchable, and anadjacent non-stretchable section, connecting means constructed andarranged to form an adjustable connection between said sections, one ofsaid sections having a plurality of spaced enlargements, and anothersection including a wall portion having an aperture, for the selectivereception of said enlargements, said connecting means including a devicefor securing said enlargements against retraction from said aperture,and cover means cooperating with said hollow deiining means andenclosingk the same, said cover means being extensible, but to a lessextent than said defining means, and operable to limit stretching ofsaid defining means.

11. Head band means, comprising: a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged end to end; means constructed and arranged to form anadjustable connection between said sections, one of said sections havinga plurality of spaced enlargements, and another section including a wallportion having an aperture, and a second wall portion having anaperture, said wall portions being relatively movable to align ordisalign said apertures to permit passage of said enlargements therepastwhen in alignment, and to restrain passage thereof when disaligned;means forv yieldably holding said wall portions against relativemovement; an article to which said head band means are adapted to beconnected; andy meansior connecting the free ends of said sections tosaid article. l

DONALD E. KIMBALL.

